USS Abraham Lincoln mast installation completed

The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is undergoing a refueling and complex overhaul at Newport News Shipbuilding.

Once the overhaul is complete, the ship’s lifespan will last another 25 years.

Shipyard officials say the Lincoln’s overhaul is 45 percent complete and on track for delivery to the Navy in 2016.

During refurbishment, the original round mast pole was removed and replaced with a modified, tapered square pole to increase strength and keep electrical piping systems enclosed. The square pole is also larger, which allows for waist-high rails and easier access to all areas by internal ladders.

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